This filtered water station was installed recently in the Doc Bryan Student Services Building at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. To date, the water bottle filling station has saved an average of 300 water bottles per week from potentially ending up in landfills. (THE COURIER / Submitted)

An investment by the Arkansas Tech University Student Government Association (SGA) will provide students, faculty and staff with a way to be more healthy and environmentally responsible during the upcoming academic year.

A filtered water bottle filling station, which was funded by $1,500 from the SGA, has been installed at the Doc Bryan Student Services Center.

The unit comes equipped with a counter that measures the amount of reduced waste that has been made possible by individuals utilizing the filtered water bottle filling station rather than a one-use water bottle.

Since it was installed near the Doc’s Place convenience store on July 22, the filtered water bottle filling station in the Doc Bryan Student Services Center has saved an average of 300 water bottles per week from potentially ending up in landfills.

“The water fountain is a way for students, faculty and staff to avoid using plastic water bottles as much as possible,” said senior Clay Wyllia of Atkins, SGA president at ATU 2013-14.

“It’s one step closer to making this a more environmentally friendly campus. The fountain also filters the water so you can save plastic bottles while drinking healthier.”

Wyllia hopes to be able to work toward expansion with the installation of similar filtered water stations elsewhere on campus.

“SGA was very excited about this idea when it was first brought to our attention,” said Wyllia said. “Now that I see the fountain in place and I see people using it and saving bottles, I really am looking forward to working with administration to get other fountains or similar items placed on campus. Areas with high traffic such as the Baswell Techionery would certainly benefit from another fountain.

“We can really decrease the amount of waste produced just by something as simple as refilling and reusing a bottle. I see more and more students with reusable water containers around campus and this is exactly what they are looking for --- an easy, convenient way to refill with healthy water.”